Method and system of hydraulic control line connection

Abstract

A method of coupling a first control line to a second control line is provided comprising the steps of prepping the first and second control lines to respectively produce a first end and a second end. Prepping may comprise inserting a plug assembly into at least one of the first or second ends prior to facing the end containing the plug assembly. The method may further include butt-welding the first end to the second end to form a splice and providing a protective assembly to cover the splice. The plug assembly may comprise a plug member, a seal, and an end piece to couple the seal to the plug member, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the plug assembly may comprise a plug member and a seal coupled to the plug member.

1. A method of coupling a first control line to a second control line comprising:
 prepping the first and second control lines respectively producing a first end and a second end; 
 butt-welding the first end to the second end to form a splice; and 
 providing a protective assembly to cover the splice; 
 wherein prepping comprises inserting a plug assembly into at least one of the first or second ends prior to facing the at least one of the first or second ends. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plug assembly is inserted into each of the first and second ends prior to facing each of the first and second ends. 
     
     
       3. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plug assembly is removed from the at least one of the first or second ends prior to butt-welding the first end to the second end; and
 components of the protective assembly are placed on one or both of the first or second control lines prior to butt-welding the first end to the second end. 
 
     
     
       4. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein butt-welding the first end to the second end further comprises:
 determining welding control parameters for various configurations of first and second control lines; 
 matching the welding control parameters to a configuration comprising the first and second control line; and 
 butt-welding the first end to the second end using the welding control parameters of the configuration of the first and second control line. 
 
     
     
       5. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein plug assembly comprises:
 a plug member; 
 at least one seal; and 
 an end piece; 
 wherein the at least one seal is coupled to the plug member and retained through the use of the end piece. 
 
     
     
       6. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plug assembly further includes one or more sets of another seal and a spacer coupled to the plug member and retained through the use of the end piece. 
     
     
       7. The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plug assembly comprises:
 a plug member; and 
 at least one seal; 
 wherein the at least one seal is coupled to the plug member and retained within a seal retention feature of the plug member. 
 
     
     
       8. The method as recited in  claim 7 , wherein two or more seals are coupled to the plug member. 
     
     
       9. The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein a plug member of the plug assembly comprises a non-metallic material. 
     
     
       10. A plug assembly configured to be accommodated within a control line comprising:
 a plug member; 
 at least one seal; and 
 an end piece; 
 wherein the at least one seal is coupled to the plug member and retained through the use of the end piece and 
 wherein the plug assembly further includes one or more sets of another seal and a spacer coupled to the plug member and retained through the use of the end piece. 
 
     
     
       11. The plug assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the plug member is configured to be removably coupled with a tool for at least one of insertion or removal with regard to the control line. 
     
     
       12. The plug assembly as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the plug member comprises a threaded end for removably coupling the plug assembly with the tool. 
     
     
       13. The plug assembly as recited in  claim 10 , wherein an end of the plug member is conically shaped. 
     
     
       14. A method of coupling a first control line to a second control line comprising:
 inserting a plug assembly into the first control line; 
 facing an end of the first control line to be substantially orthogonal to a central axis of the first control line; 
 removing the plug assembly from the first control line and inserting the plug assembly into the second control line; 
 facing an end of the second control line to be substantially orthogonal to a central axis of the second control line; 
 removing the plug assembly from the second control line; 
 providing components of a protective assembly onto at least one of the first control line or the second control line; 
 butt-welding the end of the first control line to the end of the second control line to form a splice; 
 positioning an assembled protective assembly over the splice; and 
 securing the assembled protective assembly in place. 
 
     
     
       15. The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the plug assembly comprises:
 a plug member; 
 a seal; and 
 an end piece; 
 wherein the seal is provided between the plug member and the end piece. 
 
     
     
       16. The method as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the plug assembly further comprises at least one or more sets of another seal and spacer provided between the plug member and the end piece. 
     
     
       17. The method as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the plug assembly comprises:
 a plug member; and 
 a seal; 
 wherein the seal is coupled to the plug member through the use of a seal retention feature. 
 
     
     
       18. The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the plug assembly comprises two or more seals coupled to the plug member. 
     
     
       19. The method as recited in  claim 17  wherein the seal retention feature comprises an indentation within the circumference of the plug member.